393 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



So-called Solid Volatile Oils or Stearoptens 



Camphora. Camphor. Ci„Hj„0. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Gum camphor, laurel camphor, E. ; camphre, Fr. ; kampfer, G. 



A ketone obtained from Cinnamomum Camphora (Linne) Nees et Eber- 

 maier (Fam. Lauraceae), and purified by sublimation. 



Habitat. — China, Japan, Cochin China and Sunda Islands. 



Properties. — White, translucent masses or granules of a tough consistence and 

 having a penetrating, characteristic odor, and a pungent aromatic taste. It is 

 readily pulverizable in the presence of a little alcohol, ether or chloroform. 

 Spec. gr. 0.990. Slightly soluble in water, but freely soluble in alcohol, ether, 

 chloroform, carbon disulphide, benzin, and in fixed and volatile oils, and milk. 

 When camphor is triturated, in about molecular proportions, with menthol, 

 thymol, phenol, or chloral hydrate, liquefaction ensues. On exposure to the air 

 it evaporates, and when moderately heated, it sublimes without leaving a residue. 



Composition. — A camphor is a solid crystalline substance separated from aiJy 

 volatile oil on long standing or at low temperature. Camphor is chemically an 

 oxidation product of a terpene (pinene or cymene), — the principal constituent 

 of all volatile oils. A terpene is a hydrocarbon containing 10 atoms of carbon, 

 and the terpene (C,„Hio) from which camphor is derived is isomeric with that of 

 oil of turpentine and many other volatile oils. 



Dose.— H., 3i-iii, (4-12); C, 3ii-iv, (8-15); Sh. & Sw., gr.xv-3i, (1-4); D., 

 gr.iii-xx, (.18-1.3). 



PEEPAKAXIONS. 



Aqua amphorae. Camphor Water. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Triturate camphor, 8, with alcohol, 8, and purified talc, 15; then with water 

 to make 1000. Filter. (U. S. P.) 

 Dose. — Ad lib. 



Spiritus Camphorm. Spirit of Camphor. (U.. S. & B. P.) 

 Dissolve camphor, 100, in alcohol, 800; filter, and add alcohol to make 1000. 

 (U. S.) 



Dose.—n. & C, gi-ii, (30-60); D., 3ss-i, (2-4). 



Linimentum Camphorw. Camphor Liniment. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Synonym. — Camphorated oil. 

 Camphor, 200; cottonseed oil, 800. (U. S. P.) 

 Dose.— H. & C, gss-i, (15-30); D., nix-xv, (0.6-1). 



Tinctura Camphorw Composita. (B. P.) (Paregoric.) 

 Contains 1 part of morphine in 2000=gr.% opium in 3i paregoric. 

 Dose. — D., 3ss-i. 

 Camphora Monobromata. Monobromated Camphor. CjoHisOBr. (U. S. P.) 

 Derivation. — Made by heating camphor and bromine together at a tempera- 

 ture of 172° F. (77.7° C.) and solution in benzin. C,„H,„0-|-2 Br=: 

 CioH„OBr-f HBr. Recrystallized from hot alcohol. 



Properties. — Colorless, prismatic needles or scales, or as a powder, having a 

 mild, camphoraceous odor and taste; permanent in the air. Almost insoluble in 

 water; freely soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform, hot benzin and fixed and 

 volatile oils; slightly soluble in glycerin. 

 Dose.-— I)., gr.ii-x, (.12-.6). 



Action External. — Camphor resembles the volatile oils chemically 

 and physiologically. It is a slight antiseptic externally, and parasiticide. 

 The vapor of camphor kills moths, fleas, bugs, etc. Camphor is a mild 

 irritant, producing a rubefacient action followed by partial anesthesia. 

 It is eliminated in part by the skin and occasions some diaphoresis. 



Action Internal. — Alimentary Canal. — Camphor stimulates the 

 stomach, increasing the secretion, motion and vascularity of the organ. 

 In the bowels camphor is supposed to overcome pain, spasm, and check 

 secretion in diarrhea, but has little effect in normal conditions and in 

 therapeutic doses. 



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